Finding appropriate home health and hospice care providers requires some research. You will need to talk with your healthcare provider to evaluate your home health or hospice care needs. When looking for a provider, consider the following:

• Quality of care

• Availability of services

• Personnel training and expertise

• Payer coverage

Evaluating the quality of a provider

When evaluating the quality of a provider, you may encounter the following terms:

• Licensure. Some states require providers to have licenses to operate. Basic legal and operating requirements as directed by the state must be met to obtain a license.

• Bonding. A bond is a type of insurance policy for a provider. To become bonded, a provider must pay a set amount. The bond protects the provider from bankruptcy in the event of a lawsuit by a consumer.

• Certification. State certification by state health departments makes a home health or hospice care provider eligible for Medicare (and sometimes Medicaid) payments. To become certified, a provider must meet basic federal and state standards in patient care and financial management. Certified healthcare professionals are certified by their respective national organizations. The certification usually requires passing a national test or work experience.

• Accreditation. Nationally recognized accrediting organizations evaluate and accredit quality healthcare services. A provider must voluntarily seek out this accreditation. Some organizations who accredit home health care include:

  • Accreditation Commission for Home Care, Inc.

  • Community Health Accreditation Program

  • Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

  • National Committee for Quality Assurance

  • National Home Caring Council

Questions to ask when choosing a provider

When choosing a provider, consider asking the following questions:

• How many years has the provider been serving the community?

• Does the provider have literature describing its services, cost, and funding?

• Is an evaluation of the patient's home healthcare needs required? Is there a written plan of care for the patient?

• When are caregivers available?

• Is there a nursing supervisor on-call 24 hours a day?

• Can the provider ensure patient confidentiality?

• How is quality of care and services monitored?

• What types of payments are accepted?

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice will provide you with the most comprehensive database of agencies available in the U.S.